“People of noble birth, do you mean?” Thea asked.
Daniel ignored that comment.
“But you are the most handsome of the Dillingers, so her offspring would be tolerable,” Thea teased him.
“It’s lucky my ego is not fragile,” Oliver said.
They talked, laughed, and ignored the men behind them. More guests arrived, and he found himself relaxing even as he watched the path to see if she arrived.
Is Abby still on that boat? Surely she is safe?
“We must move now, as the tightrope performance is about to begin, and Leandra is simply the best to watch. Last time it was as though she danced across,” Ben said.
The rope was suspended above them, and the woman he now knew as Leandra poised at one end in a glittering costume.
“Not sure I’d want to make money with the eminent threat of plunging to the earth upon me at any given moment.”
“It’s called excitement, Ben,” Daniel said.
“Is that what they’re calling it? Abject terror was my definition. I loathe lofty heights.”
“Just as well you haven’t reached them then.”
“There is that.” He wandered away to find his wife.
Daniel had noticed that people who loved their spouses were always looking for them. Just a brief moment of connection and then they could continue on with whatever they were doing. He’d always found it endearing, if a little odd.
“I owe you an apology, Dillinger.”
Daniel found Lord Raine at his side. His brother was up ahead, thankfully, and had no idea the earl had approached.
“I realize now were it not for your quick reactions, my sister would have been injured.”
The apology did not sit well on the man. His scowl was fierce.
“Thank you, my lord. I hope you have found the culprit?”
“I have not, but rest assured, I will.”
“Excellent.”
“I think my sister knows you, Dillinger. As yet I am unsure why, and due to the incident, I will not ask you to clarify that.”
“There is nothing to clarify.” Daniel gave nothing away in his tone or the expression on his face. “I was introduced to your sister by my sister-in-law. That is where it begins and ends.”
Lord Raine’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe that is the truth, yet as you saved her life, I will leave it there. But—”
“If the next words to come out of your mouth are a threat, Raine, think again. I do not live by the same rules as you noblemen and will not take it lightly. And just so we’re clear, the Deville brothers may intimidate many, but they do not intimidate me.”
“We do not deliberately intimidate people, Dillinger.”
“Well, you do an excellent job of it for not trying.”
Raine cursed.
“Just be warned, I will not stand for those threats.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Daniel knew it was only a matter of seconds before one of his party realized who he was talking to, so he needed to end this conversation quickly.
“No more than you are me, my lord. Your sister means nothing to me. You can believe that or not; I care little for your opinion. But I will not tolerate any insult to me or mine.”
“I have no wish to insult your family or friends, but don’t mistake me, I will be watching you, Dillinger.”
“Remember my words, Raine. Any threat, and I will meet it, and it will not be with a slap of my glove. Those ridiculous rules don’t apply in my world.” Daniel then turned back to watch the performance, jaw clenched, chest tight. He may have had plenty of confrontation in his lifetime, however, he did not enjoy it.
“Were you talking to Raine?” Alex had been behind him. Daniel hadn’t realized that.
“Just in passing.”
“Highly unlikely,” Alex said.
“If you will excuse me, I will return in a moment.” Daniel felt the need to walk. Anything to shake the unease that had crept inside him. Likely it was due to Miss Spencer’s advances and Raine’s threats. A brisk walk would set him to rights again.
Leaving the gathering, he took the path that led back to the water. Tension was coiled tight inside him by the time he reached the bank. He walked along the edge, his eyes on the boat Abby was clearly still on, as she had not joined her brothers.
“Can I offer you a ride, sir?” one of the boatmen asked him.
Daniel looked to the large vessel floating on the river. Heard the voices raised in revelry of those who had stayed on board. All was well there, so what else was wrong?
“I will, thank you. Just row me past that.” He pointed to the boat. “I wish to take a closer look at it.”
He called himself every kind of fool as they left the bank, but still something niggled at him. Searching those he could see standing on the railing, he couldn’t see her, and yet he knew she was there.
Chapter 21
“I’m sorry, Sir John, I really have no wish for you to breathe all over me with your alcohol-laden fumes, nor do I wish for your touch.”
The man’s eyes turned squinty as he attempted to focus on her and understand the insults she’d just thrown at him.
“I-I beg your p-pardon?”
Disgusted, Abby pushed him hard in his chest and sent him stumbling backward. So much for Zach looking out for her; she had not seen him since they first arrived on board. Not that she needed him to protect her—Abby was more than capable of distancing herself from the Sir Johns of this world, with their wandering hands and eyes.
The longer this excursion was taking, the more outrageous the behavior of the guests was becoming.
Abby had elected to stay on board after she’d seen Daniel. Even from this distance, she’d known he’d seen her. Felt that shiver of awareness.
Bracing her hands on the railing once more, she looked to the gardens that were a blaze of light. Her other brothers would not be happy she and Zach had decided to stay on board, which the small petty part of her
